Man who murdered Thurston County couple in 2023 gets jury’s verdict

A jury has found Timothy Burke guilty of two counts of aggravated first-degree murder in connection with the 2023 deaths of a Thurston County couple.

Burke watched on as Judge John Skinder read aloud the verdict in Thurston County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.

Prosecutors alleged Burke shot and killed Karen A. Koep, 62, and her husband, Davido, 68, at their Lake Forest home between Long Lake and Marvin Road on or between Nov. 10-13, 2023. Deputies visited the home for a welfare check on Nov. 13, 2023, and found significant amounts of blood and other evidence but no bodies, The Olympian previously reported. Deputies arrested him four days later.

Court records filed by prosecutors state Burke rented a property from the couple and may have been in the process of being evicted.

Investigators found the bodies of the missing couple on Dec. 2, 2023, in a creek on JBLM land not far from the property where Burke had been living. Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock later confirmed both of them died due to multiple gunshot wounds.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office commented on the verdict in a Facebook post.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Karen Koep and Davido,” the post reads. “We hope this verdict brings some measure of closure as they continue to cope with this tremendous loss.”

We also want to recognize and thank our detectives for their dedication and perseverance through the many long days spent investigating this case, as well as their work in presenting the facts to the prosecutor’s office. Their efforts helped ensure a strong case was brought before the jury.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.